Planners have accepted a revised location for the compound to be used as the hub for the development of the main street to serve the Gillingham southern extension, on which work is due to start next month.

Members of Dorset Council’s Northern Planning Committee were told by a planning officer that the land, partially outside the boundary of the development site, would be a better fit for farming practices, and would use an existing access onto Cole Street Lane, which highways officer Steve Savage said provided better visibility than that for the originally approved location.

It also meant conditioned archaeological works would no longer be necessary, as there were no constraints at the new site. Permission was granted using permitted development rights allowing the provision on land of buildings, works, plant or machinery required temporarily in connection with the approved development, requiring the land to be reinstated on completion to its condition before the development was carried out. The southern extension will provide a total of 1,800 homes, a local centre, sports pitches, a primary school and associated facilities.

Councillor David Walsh, one of three local Gillingham members, said: “We have been working on this for the last ten years. It’s great when you ask communities to do the masterplan, but you have to get on with it. The community have planned it, they control it, let’s deliver it. The variation should be approved without any further delay. There are speculative developers trying to come in through the back door.”

Fellow Gillingham member Councillor Belinda Ridout agreed they needed to get things moving, proposing approval which was seconded by the third Gillingham member Councillor Val Pothecary and agreed unanimously. Head of planning Mike Garrity confirmed that he endorsed their minded approval at the meeting which was held virtually.

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.